The Columbia girls’ softball team has done the unexpected this season.

Not only have they won 10 games for the first time in school history, but have also qualified for the District Three playoffs for the first time in school history. And, they still have a chance to qualify for the Lancaster-Lebanon League playoffs. To do that, in the immortal words of the Oakland Raiders, all they have to do is “Just Win Baby!”

But as the team grows in terms of experience and gets into position to win consistently, they still have moments where they revert back to their old ways of not making the plays.

That was the key Friday afternoon in Kinzers as the Tide battled Pequea Valley for first place in Section 4 of the L-L League. Columbia didn’t make the plays at the end and lost to the Valley Braves, 5-4 to fall out of first place.

First place now belongs to Annville-Cleona, who is 9-3 and the Braves, who are 8-3. The Tide fell to 8-4 in league play and 10-5 overall.

The Tide and Valley Braves were deadlocked entering the bottom of the seventh. With Emily Detz settling in for the Tide and the Brave mound combo of Kayla Wallace and Kasey Williams holding off the Tide, there was a strong possibility the battle for first place might be going to extra innings.

But...

Pequea Valley used some small ball to win the game. They opened the inning with their first three batters using the bunt to make the Tide field the ball. The first batter reached on a base hit and moved to second when the throw from Tide catcher Ashlyn Phillips sailed past first. Now with the winning run on second, the next PV hitter was called out for being out of the batter’s box on another bunt. Hitter number three also laid a perfect bunt down and moved to second on another error. Tide coach Brad Brubaker elected to intentionally walk the fourth batter of the inning to load the sacks. But the fifth batter of the inning found a hole over first for a bloop hit to win the game.

That wasn’t where the Tide lost this one.

They had bigger problems in the first inning as well.

Junior fireballer Emily Detz walked the first batter she faced and that, along with a couple of mistakes by the Tide, gave Pequea Valley three runs and an early lead.

The next Brave hitter laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, allowing the previous runner to move to third. Next, a PV batter hit a ground ball to shortstop Allison Michener, who wasn’t sure what to do with the ball allowing the Braves to score. That batter, along with anther batter, who got the only hit of the inning scored, following an error by Tide second sacker Kayla Ortman.

All three runs in the inning were gift wrapped by the Tide.

In a big game such as this one, three runs might be tough to overcome. But it was no problem for the Tide against PV hurler Wallace in the second.

Freshman Phillips slugged a triple to right to start the inning. Columbia got on the board when Michener singled. Next up, Ortman reached on an error by the PV second baseman. Kayla Lambert then reached on an error to load the bases. Emily Nobile then reached on a bunt as a run scored. Alexis Eckman made the first out of the inning, grounding to second, but a run scored and the Tide was ahead, 4-3. It could have been worse, but the Tide had a runner thrown out at third.

The game started to settled down.

PV tied the game at 4-4 in the fourth on a walk and double.

In the fifth, Detz doubled and moved to third with one out, but the Tide couldn’t score.

Columbia got another runner in the sixth when Michener walked, but was left stranded.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Turkey Hill Experience at Third and Linden streets is “oh so close” to becoming a reality.

At a special council meeting Wednesday night, an agreement was approved between the borough and the Columbia Economic Development Corporation and Museum Partners that will allow the project to proceed.

The last part of the process will be the actual signing of an agreement between CEDC and Museum Partners.

Wednesday’s meeting cleared the final hurdle of possible soil contamination at the property. All three parties agreed that the soil is clean and te agreement was hand delivered to Harrisburg and DEP this morning.

Settlement on the property is expected to happen sometime in the next two weeks.

Once that happens, construction is expected to start shortly there after, barring any last minute problems.

There’s no doubt the Columbia girls’ softball team has been the biggest surprise of the Lancaster-Lebanon League this season.

The former cellar dwellers have gone from the outhouse to the penthouse so to speak. In last place for most of the 26 years the school has played softball, the Tide finds itself in an unusual spot. Heading into the final five Section 4 games of the season, coach Brad Brubaker’s team is tied with Annville-Cleona with an 8-3 record, followed closely by Pequea Valley with a 7-3 (Pequea Valley still has a make-up game with Lancaster Mennonite) record.

Columbia can take a giant step toward a possible Section 4 title tomorrow when they open the second half of Section 4 play with a game at Pequea Valley.

The Tide scored its first win of this special season earlier by a 3-2 score over the Valley Braves.

Thursday, the Tide put themselves in position to play for first place with a 7-1 win over Northern Lebanon at Glatfelter Field. The big win came a day after the Tide was blanked by Donegal, 8-0.

The win over the Lady Vikings helped the Tide complete crossover games with a 3-3 record and improve their overall record to 10-4, which is three more wins than any CHS team ever had.

First, we’ll start with the bats. After being no hit a day earlier by Donegal’s Kelsey Hannold, the Tide banged out nine hits in the win, which was their most in their last seven games.

The “hittin inning” for the Tide Thursday was the second. They banged six hits in the inning, which helped them score six runs.

Freshman Ashlyn Phillips started the frame off with a single. Allison Michener then reached on a fielder’s choice, when the Vikings couldn’t make a play on her bunt. Now with one out, Kayla Lambert singled to score one, allowing Michener to move to third. Kayla Ortman then walked to load the sacks. Columbia almost made it 2-0 as Michener was thrown out at the dish attempting to score on a wild pitch.

No problem however.

Alexis Eckman stepped to the dish and delivered a single, which plate two runs, which was followed by a three bagger off the bat of Emily Detz to score Ortman and Eckman. Detz scored when Vallessa Carollo singled and she came home on a double off the bat of Jenna Plastino, who was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

All the sudden, it was 6-0 and with sharp shooter Detz rebounding from an off game the day before against Donegal in the circle, all was well with the Tide.

Well, a bunt single and double in the third got one run back for the Vikings, but that’s all they would get.

Detz struck out 17 (two reached on strike out/wild pitches and walked two. Northern Lebanon thanks to some loose defense by the Tide got two more runners on in the fourth, but didn’t score. They also got two runners in the sixth on a Tide error and strike out/wild pitch, but didn’t score.

At the plate, the Tide was “oh so” close to breaking this one open.

In the fourth, Ortman singled with one out and moved to third on a couple of wild pitches. Detz then walked but was thrown out trying to go to second for the third out following the walk.

Columbia scored its seventh run in the fifth. Carollo singled and scored, but Columbia loaded the bases o a couple of walks and a hit batter, only to have another runner cut down at the plate, attempting to score on an infield out.

But in the seventh, Detz strongly closed the game with her final two strikeouts and a pop out to Michener at short.

After playing PV tomorrow, the Tide has winnable games Monday and Wednesday with Lancaster Mennonite and Lancaster Catholic, both at home, before traveling to Annville-Cleona next Friday.

Depending upon what happens tomorrow, there may never be a bigger game in Columbia softball history.

Columbia Police are asking people to lock their vehicles and not leave anything of value in them.
Recently police have received a number of reports of vehicle break-ins in all areas of the town.
Police said there have been 15 reports in the last two weeks in the area of South 13th Street.
Police are asking residents if they do leave something in their vehicle, not to leave it in view of someone walking past the vehicle, who could look in and steal it.
.

Columbia Police are warning residents about a scam going through the community.
Police said residents are receiving phone calls telling them they have won money, but there is a catch.
The callers, police said, ask the victims to send money to a place or seek information on bank accounts. The victims are also told an UPS delivery person will deliver a package to their home and the victims are ask to send money via Western Union to a certain place, "if they want to ever win anything so it could be entered into a contest."
Police said people just don't call residents to ask you to send money to get the winnings.
If anyone has been a victim of this, please call police at 684-7735.

ANGEL L. GARCIA, 27, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF LAWRENCE STREET, AT 4 P.M., APRIL 19.

CRYSTAL L. STOUGH, 27, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON ROUTE 30 EAST AND ROUTE 441, AT 4:41 P.M, APRIL 19.

JESUS HARRERA-LLANES, 53, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED AT ROUTE 30 EAST AND ROUTE 441, AT 6:18 P.M., APRIL 20,

LISA M. O'REILLY, 49, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AT 4 A.M., APRIL 23.

EDWARD LEE HAMILTON, 24, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AND FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOU8T OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF EMISSIONS INSPECTION, AT ROUTE 30 AND ROUTE 441, AT 5:26 P.M., APRIL 25.

JUSTIN CARRELL BUER, 28, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE, AT THIRD. AND LINDEN STREETS, AT 1030 A.M., APRIL 24.

JANIS E. GIVEN, 38, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF UNREGISTERED VEHICLE, AT SOUTH FRONT AND PLANE STREETS, AT 12:38 A.M., APRIL 24.

HEIDI LYNN SMITH, 35, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AT 4 P.M., APRIL 24.

MICHAEL J. LESCHKE, JR., 40, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD. STREET, AT 9:33 P.M., APRIL 24.

VINCENT M. MELEY, 27, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF NORTH SECOND. STREET, AT 8:44 P.M., APRIL 23.

JUSTIN BARTON HIRNEISEN, 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 400 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AT 10:43 P.M., APRIL 24.
.SHANE WESLEY BILLINGS, 32, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CHARGED WITH FLEEING AND ELUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING, FOUR COUNTS OF STOP SIGNS AND YIELDS SIGNS, OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AND RECKLESS DRIVING, AT 4:58.P.M., APRIL 27.

HE WAS ARRAIGNED AT CENTRAL ARRAIGNMENT IN LANCASTER, AND COMMITTED IN LEIU OF $25,000 STRAIGHT BAIL TO LANCASTER COUNTY PRISON.

MATTHEW J. NISSLEY, 28, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT THIRD. AND LINDEN STREETS, AT 5:40 A.M., APRIL 29.

JOHN LEWIS YOHE, JR., 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AT 7:49 P.M., APRIL 28.

On Saturday, May 8, the Columbia Park Rangers will work at Janson Park. Rangers will assemble at 8 a.m. at South Sixth and Cherry Streets. The four-hour work session will be a general cleanup of the park and the community-built play area in the park's northwest corner.

Over the past decade the Janson Foundation, legacy of the Janson Brothers, has not only gradually replaced the older trees with new ones, but also added even more strategically placed ones. When mature these trees will provide shade for both spectators and those taking a break from the baseball, football, soccer, and basketball games that assure the park's use in all seasons.

With general cleanups such as this the Rangers help to maintain these trees.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 19th annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 30 at Locust Street Park, located at Fifth and Locust Streets, starting at 6 p..m.
Andy Ohrel, president of the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, which maintains and oversees the park, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Columbia High School Senior Hillary Marie Glenn will recite Joyce Kilmer’s poem Trees. Hillary is the daughter of Kerry D. Glenn and the late Melissa A. Glenn.

The Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 2010 induction banquet will take place on Saturday, May 1, at the Susquehanna Fire Company.
Tickets for the banquet are available by contacting Rich Gerfin at 684-4772 after 6 p.m.
The inductees are:
Ron Caulwell, former athletic director at Columbia High School.
Gayne Deshler, former football coach and athletic director at Donegal High School.
Glenn Robinson, basketball coach at F&M.
John Thomas, former Columbia wrestler.
Leslie Bair Vink, former gymnast at Hempfield.
Mike Wolfgang, former Columbia football player will be honored as the deceased inductee.

Columbia High School's annual May Day celebration will be held this year on Saturday, May 1 at the Park Elementary School.

In a make-up Section 3 track meet, Columbia was swept by Lancaster Catholic.
Catholic won the boys' meet, 120-29, with sophomore Derek Zercher winning the 1,600 and 3,200.
Catholic also won the girls' meet, 127-18 with Nicole Bowman winning the high jump and Kelsey Ulrich winning the discus.
The Tide is scheduled to compete in the Stan Morgan Invitational on Saturday in Carlisle.

A wind-swept field was the least of Columbia's problems as Tide hitter after hitter faced Donegal ace Kelsey Hannold Wednesday afternoon in Mount Joy.
The Indians' junior pitcher hurled a 10 strikeout no-hitter against Columbia and went 3-4 from the plate, including two RBI as Section 3 frontrunner Donegal shutout Columbia 7-0.
One bright spot on the afternoon was freshman Valessa Carollo, who entered the game in fourth relieving Emily Detz in the pitching circle. Carollo struck out 3 and did not yield an earned run in relief.

The Columbia High School Football Booster Club received a generous donation from the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge 1074. The support of the Elks will allow the Columbia High School football team to start the year under new coach Michael Burke on a positive note. Pictured, left to right, Ed Colon, booster club and lodge member; Ken Shuman, Exalted Ruler; Laurie Burke, booster club treasurer; Ed Broome, lodge trustee.

In five of their previous six games, the Columbia baseball team had given up double figures in runs.

The lone game during that stretch was a 6-2 loss yesterday at the hands of Northern Lebanon.

The Tide was back on the home field today for a windy afternoon of baseball against Donegal.

And despite giving up three runs in the first inning, the Tide ‘9' battled the Indians tough before dropping a 6-3 decision.

Coach Bob Peterson’s team will be back in action Thursday afternoon with a non-league game at Reading Central Catholic, before returning home Friday for a Section 4 game with Pequea Valley at the Glat.

In that first inning, the Indians scored all three of their runs with two outs, on two singles, a double and a walk. After that, Tide starter Tyler Aruda settled down.

Columbia got its offense going in the second inning. With one out, Johnny Vasquez and Jimmy Lee ripped back-to-back doubles to make it a 3-1 game.

Donegal, who is famous for “small ball,” did just that in the third. Coach Chris Miller’s team used an infield hit, stolen base, infield out and a fly ball to score their fourth run and take a 4-1 lead.

Columbia tried to answer in their half of the third. With two outs, Seth Lefever singled and Michael Burke walked, but the Tide was kept off the board when Brandon Aukamp grounded out.

In the fifth, the Tide pulled within 4-2 on bases hits by Tyler Harrison and Lefever.

In the sixth, it got interesting.

Aukamp led the inning off with a single and Lee and Josh Elliot followed with walks. With one out, Seth Aruda, pinch-hitting, hit a sac fly to center and it was 4-3. But that would be as close as the Tide would get.

In the top of the seventh, Tyler Aruda was running out of gas on the mound and walked two hitters with one out. Donegal ended Aruda’s day on the mound with a screaming double down the left field line to plate the two runners who walked to get some insurance runs.

In their half of the seventh, Lefever reached third after Donegal’s right fielder dropped a fly ball and moved up on a stolen base and wild pitch but cold not dent the plate.

Several weeks ago, COLUMBIA TALK posted information about a violent sexual predator that moved into the 400 block of Locust Street, or more directly in an apartment at 469 Locust St.

There has been some discussion on Facebook concerning this issue and others, who might be living in our town. The best advice I can given you, is check out the Megan's Law web site and keep an eye on these individuals.

The Columbia baseball team began a stretch of four games in four days with a 6-2 loss at Northern Lebanon on Tuesday.
The Vikings scored two runs in the first, third and fifth innings.
Brandon Arnold and Jake Sentz pitched for the Tide.
Columbia will host Donegal this afternoon, travel to Reading Central Catholic tomorrow and then host Pequea Valley on Friday.

Columbia Borough has been awarded the 2010 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in Promoting Community and Economic Revitalization. The award was for the Columbia Borough River Park Revitalization and Expansion Project.

The award was presented to representatives from Columbia Borough, the River Park Steering Committee and Buchart Horn, Inc. at a luncheon Thursday, April 15, at the Harrisburg Farm Show Building.

The award is the result of seven years work by the River Park Steering Committee. The River Park Steering Committee started discussions on revitalizing the River Park in 2003 and has been meeting monthly since. Construction on the project started in late fall 2009 and is expected to be completed by May 1st, 2010 intime for the boating season.

The revitalized River Park will feature a three lane motorized boat ramp, new canoe/kayak ramp, increased parking, lights, a fishing pier and docks. The grass area will be off-limits this year to allow the grass to grow and take root. The River Park Steering Committee is exploring the possibility of adding a pavilion this year until a permanent building can be constructed as part of phase 1A at a later date.

Monday, April 26, 2010

It will be another long week for the Columbia baseball and softball teams. The two had their games on Monday postponed on Monday with Northern Lebanon.
The Tide will travel to Northern Lebanon for a baseball game tomorrow afternoon.
The softball team will host Northern Lebanon on Thursday, meaning the Tide girls will travel to Donegal on Wednesday, host NL on Thursday and travel to Pequea Valley on Friday.
Columbia and Pequea Valley are running neck and neck for the lead in Section 4. Both teams have two league losses, although the Tide has a game in hand.
Columbia is 7-2 in league play with losses to Manheim Central and L-S in crossover games. PV is 6-2 with losses to the Tide and Northern Lebanon. PV was scheduled to play Donegal today and still has another make-up game with Lancaster Mennonite, according to scores posted on lancsports.com.
Annville-Cleona is right there with a 6-3 record with Section 4 losses to the Tide and PV and a crossover loss to Donegal.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

First, who would have thought comments made at a borough council meeting would create that much controversy.

But it is Columbia and we have people who reside here, who one, like to create controversy and two, don’t understand that when Columbia and its people get attacked, the wagons circle.

I have never received so many emails about something that was reportedly “not” said at a council meeting and so on, it just got to the point it was better off to remove the posts, than continue the evil that was being spread.

I do have to ask though, since I’ve been though this for the last 25 years or so that if those comments were reported by a larger media entity, would the same thing happened. In most cases, I doubt it. In this case, it most likely would have. But since it was COLUMBIA, it probably would have made front page headlines or the lead story on the six o’clock news. We’ll pick on the little guy and they will back down.

As I’ve stated previously, if you don’t want to be quoted on something you say at a borough council or school board meeting, don’t say it. If you say it, then be prepared to take the heat for your comments.

If you haven’t figured out, those who grew up here in town and those who have moved here and want to help make our town better, are Columbia’s biggest supporters. It’s those people that come here, who think they can be part of the solution, don’t get their own way, who end up causing problems.

Just remember, there are two types of people – people from Columbia and people who wish they were from Columbia.

Next, I’ll address the weekly polls that I come up with. I hope our community leaders are following the voting on these polls, particularly the ones about the market.

Since the weather has turned nicer, I am in tje market on a weekly basis.

There’s a problem there folks. It’s a great facility, bit its only half full with stand holders. Most of the entire back half of the market is empty. I know the market is going through a transition without a market manager, but something needs to be done.

Perhaps two days isn’t the answer and perhaps it will change once a new manager is approved. But word needs to get out about the facility. People in Lancaster, York and other areas need to find out about the Columbia Market. It will work if promoted right, but I am one of those people who aren’t sure the two-day market will work. Just say, if I’m going in on a Thursday to get lunch meat, baked good, fresh fruit, etc., it’s less likely I will be going back in on Friday, unless its to get something to eat.

Now let’s move on to a group that will always be near and dear to me, the Columbia Boy’s Athletic Association. I spent almost 30 years of my life involved in the organization and if you haven’t noticed, the organization recently reorganized its officers. All of the officers now are young people who went trough the organization as kids, know what the organization once was and how many teams they once had.

I wish them luck because they have a long road to go to get the interest back in the organization. The number of baseball and softball teams are at a bare minimum this year. I can remember when I played and first started as an officer, we had 19 baseball teams and eight softball teams.

But as costs rose and registration fees increased, the numbers have dropped to record low numbers.

I don’t blame those running the organization, because I was one of them. I do blame the parents for not getting their kids involved, or, getting involved themselves.

Playing sports is something good for our young people. Sure, its probably tough for mom and dad to travel, but at least get the kids out there to get involved, instead of letting them sit in the house, text and play on the computer.

The attitude needs to change and despite the hard work of the new officers, if it doesn’t, there might be a day where there is no CBAA and that would be sad because the parents aren’t making their kids get involved.

But then again, a lot of those playing not only at the CBAA level, but the high school levels, are transients, meaning they are here one day and gone the next, not exactly the way to build a program at any level.

Earlier today, there was a comment to the post make about the track program at the high school. As a former member of the track team back in the 1970s, it hurts to see how far that program that dominated the 50s, 60s and 70s has dropped.

I will say this about the current coaches on the hill, most of them have gone through the program from the bottom up and know what it takes to win. Right now, Columbia is going through a little blip on the radar screen, where the coaches are trying hard to work through it, but the athletes just aren’t responding.

It will turn around, but everyone needs to change. The kids have to listen to their coaches, fight through little nicks and bruises, get our their and make Columbia Proud. Right now, that pride isn’t there in most sports and it starts with the kids, some of whom, not all of them need an attitude adjustment, so that next fall, Columbia is the one kicking people when they are down and not getting kicked.

Let’s get back to rolling on the hill and you’ll find out how much the community supports you.

Thursday and Friday, the Tide sent two relay teams to the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia. The Tide’s 4 by 100 teams, placed ninth in their heat in the girls’ relay and seventh in their heat in the boys’ relay.

Friday, the Tide was one of a number of teams participating in the Millersville University High School Invitational at Beamsderfer Stadium.

Placing for the Tide boys were Derek Zercher and Tony Barton, 47th and 56th in the 1,600; Zercher, 39th and Barton, 46th in the 3,200; Brandon Felus, 18th in the discus and 22nd in the shot put and Alan Foehlinger, 46th in the 200 hurdles.

On the girls’ side, Shaday Fraizer was 40th in the 100 and 200; Audreanna Edmond was 36th in the 200; Rebecca Kuhn was 52nd in the 800; Rachel Knighton, 53rd in the 1,600 and Rachel Hall, 42nd in the 300 hurdles.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Last week, the Columbia girls’ softball team became the school’s best softball team ever with a win over Cocalico.

The 6-0 win over Cocalico was the Tide’s seventh of the season, the most in CHS softball history since 1995 when Columbia went 7-9.

Friday, they broke the record with a 5-2 win at Elco.

The win improved the Tide’s Section 4 record to 7-2 and overall mark to 8-3.

But with the program history changing, the Tide is eyeing a bigger prize, a section title and league playoffs berth.

And with seven games left in the league season, the Tide has a big week to reach those lofty goals. Coach Brad Brubaker’s teams hosts Northern Lebanon on Monday, travels to Donegal on Wednesday and then Pequea Valley on Friday. The combined league record of the three is 21-5 with Donegal unbeaten in league play at 9-0 and leading Section 3. Northern Lebanon, who beat Pequea Valley on Friday is 6-3 in league play and Pequea Valley is 6-2 in Section 4.

Columbia scored in the top of the first inning when Emily Detz, who had walked and stole second base, then advanced to third on a passed ball, scored after Ashlyn Phillips walked and continued on to second. The play distracted ELCO pitcher Carrie Stamm and Detz scampered home.

The Tide would add two runs in the second inning when jacked an RBI triple plating Kayla Lambert. Detz would later score an a Valessa Carollo fielders choice hit. Jenna Plastino and Phillips added two runs in the fifth and the Tide secured the win behind the 3-hitter thrown by Detz. She struck out 12 and walked one in the win.

Friday, April 23, 2010

For almost five innings Friday afternoon at Glatfelter Field, Crimson Tide sophomore Jimmy Lee was doing his best Jamie Moyer imitation. He was dazzling Elco batters with an assortment of pitches.

In the fifth, Lee struck out the first batter he faced, then gave up a bunt base hit and got the next batter to fly deep to right to Johnny Vazquez.

He had two easy outs and the Tide was leading 2-1. After the fly ball to right, another Elco batter doubled to right. And it looked like Lee was going to get out of the inning when a ground ball was hit to Tide third sacker Brandon Aukamp.

What should have been the third out turned into an eight run inning and a 9-2 Elco lead. The visiting Raiders turned the big inning into an 11-2 win.

After the error on Aukamp, the Raiders saw the next six hitters reach base, four with hits, one of which was a bases clearing double.

While that inning may have turned the game around, the Tide left this one get away in their half of the third and fourth innings.

In the third, Josh Elliot and Brandon Arnold led off the inning with singles. After Seth Lefever struck out, Michael Burke blooped a hit to center to score one run. Aukamp then reached on an error to load the bases with one out. But, Lee struck out and Johnny Vasquez flied to right to end the threat.

In the fourth, Jake Sentz ripped a double down the left field line and Cain Warfel followed with a single. The Tide had runners on the corners with no outs. But things went bad for the Tide. Chris Aruda, the courtesy runner for catcher Warfel was picked off, Elliot struck out and Arnold flied out to center to end the second threat.

And when you are going bad, bad things happen and they did to the Tide in the fifth.

Things started good for the Tide in this one.

The Tide scored an unearned run in the first, when Elco had trouble fielding the ball and led 1-0.

Elco tied the game in the third with some sall ball, using three walks and a sacrifice fly.

But the Tide’s inability to come up with the big hit in the third and fourth innings hurt.

Elco scored one more in the sixth on an infield bunt, walk two balks called on Aruda, who became the pitcher in relief of Lee.

In the seventh, Aruda was called for three more balks, which allowed Elco to score another run. A nice diving catch by Arnold in center kept Elco from scoring a few more runs in the final frame.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

It was another slugfest this afternoon at Cocalico for the Columbia baseball team.
The Tide and Eagles combined for 17 runs and 20 hits as Cocalico scored an 11-6 win over the Tide.
Last night, the Tide gave up 11 runs in a loss to L-S.
The difference in the game was the bottom of the sixth when the Eagles scored six runs.
Cocalico led the game 3-0 with a pair of runs in the second and a single run in the third. The Tide got back in the game somewhat with a two spot in their half of the fifth innings, before the Eagles scored twice in their half of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead.
Columbia closed the gap with three runs in the top of the seventh.

As many of you know, street sweeping has resumed its normal schedule in the borough of Columbia.
Warnings will no longer be issused for vehicles that aren't moved. As of tomorrow, all vehicles not moved will be ticketed.

Junior pitcher Emily Detz broke open a 0-0 tie game in the second inning with a grand slam home run that cleared the left field fence and led the Crimson Tide to a 6-0 win over visiting Cocalico in a L-L League Section 3/4 crossover game.
Detz went 2-3 at the plate and also walked in four appearances. In the circle, she struck out 14, while walking two and yielding just 4 hits on the rain-soaked afternoon at Glatfelter Field.

The win improved Columbia to 6-2 in Section 4 and 8-3 overall, and established a new single season school record for wins by the softball team. The previous mark of 7 wins was set in 1995 when the tide finished 7-9.

The Crimson and Gold visit Elco on Friday looking to keep pace with Section 4 front runner Pequea Valley. The Tide currently sits in second place in Section 4, a game ahead of Annville-Cleona.

The Columbia baseball team was a 10-0 loser Tuesday night to Section 3 leading Lampeter-Strasburg.
The game was postponed from Friday.
The Tide had just five hits for the game.
The Pioneers, who hosted the game under the lights, scored three times in the second inning and twice in the third. They also scored once in the fifth and four more times in the sixth.
Brandon Arnold making his first start of the year, struck out three and walked six, until he was relieved in the sixth.

Province Bank, with a location in Columbia and one in Marietta, has agreed to purchase Union National Community Vank, which also has an office in Columbia.
Here is the link from today's story in the Intell/New Era: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/251349

Monday, April 19, 2010

It was a day for hitters on Monday afternoon at Glatfelter Field as Manheim Central and the Crimson Tide combined for 21 runs and 20 hits. The bad part for the Tide was Manheim Central scored 15 of the 21 runs in a 15-6 win over the Tide.
Columbia dominated the first three innings of the game, leading 4-1. But "Manheim Magic" hit in the top of the fourth inning when the Barons exploded for eight runs to take a 9-4 lead in the game.
Columbia pulled within 9-5 with a solo run in their half of the fourth, but the Barons were not donem scoring twice in the fifth and four times in the sixth to bust the game open.
The two teams also combined for 14 strikeouts and 17 walks.

The Columbia track teams picked up their first wins of the season in a non-league tri-match up on the hill against the Lititz Christian School and the Christian School of York.
Columbia won the boys' meet with 71 points, followed by Lititz Christian with 43 points and the Christian School of York with 32.
In the girls' meet, the Tide had 74 points, followed by Lititz with 25 and CSY with 12.
There were a number of events that were not contested or had one or two competitors.
First place finishers for the Tide girls: Rachel Knighton (1,600); Audreana Edmond (400), Rachel Hall (300 hurdles); Rebecca Kuhn (800); Nicole Bowman (high jump and long jump), and Kelsy Ulrich (shot put, discus and javelin).
Second place: Edmond (100 and 200); Shaday Frazier (400); Knighton (3,200) and Michelle Hall (shot put and javelin).
Third place: Frazier (100 and 200); Kuhn (400); Rachel Hall (long jump) and Kolyana Mimnall (shot put, discus and javelin).
First place for Tide boys: 3,200-meter relay (Markis Harrison, Tony Barton, Alan Foehlinger and Derek Zercher); Jerermy Daise (100); David Wells (300 hurdles); Brandon Felus (shot put, discus and javelin).
Second place: Well (100); Zercher (1,600); Foehlinger (300 hurdles); Harrison (800); 1,600-meter relay team and John Bosley (discus and javelin).
Third Place: Harrison (400) and Jeremy Beckley (long jump).
Fourth Place: Tony Barton (1,600); Daise (200).

:It was a tough one today," said Columbia softball coach Brad Brubaker.
.Manheim Central defeated Columbia 5-1 in a Section3-4 crossover game in Manheim today.
Emily Detz battled with a 7 strikeout, 1 walk performance, giving up 6 hits. "She was hit by a line drive in the hip in the third inning, but remained in the game," Brubaker said.
Freshman catcher Ashlyn Phillips, who was hit in the dugout area with a line drive foul ball in the top of the first inning, went 2-3 and drove in the Tide's lone run with a one-out single in the third inning, plating Detz who had walked.
Columbia could only muster three hits and three walks on the offensive side.

JOHN N. MORRISON, 62, OF RED LION, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AT NORTH THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, AT 5:38 P.M., APRIL 12.

MARCELLUS BYAS, 47, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH THIRD STREET, AT 8:43 P.M., APRIL 12.

BRIAN JACYSZYN, 26, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT ROUTE 441 SOUTH AND PERRY STREET, AT 4:15P.M., APRIL 12.

FRANKIE RIVERA, 30, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY; UNAUTHORIZED TRANSFER OF REGISTRATION; AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, AT 9:08 P.M., APRIL 12.

ERNEST T. CONNOR, 53, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT 12TH AND MANOR STREETS, AT 10: 54 P.M., APRIL 12.

BRADLEY A. GROFF, 41, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AT FRONT AND PERRY STREETS, AT 9:18 A.M., APRIL

SANDRA B. GARCIA, 42, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES IN THE 900 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, AT 7:45 A.M., APRIL 13.

MICHAEL K. ALLISON, 33, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT FOURTH AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 8:15 P.M., APRIL 13.

MARY C. HENRY, 36, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING VEHICLE AT SAFE SPEED AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE FIRST BLOCK OF SOUTH FOURTH STREET, AT 12:18 A.M., APRIL 14.

A 15 YEAR OLD COLUMBIA MALE, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED AND FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, AT 4:06 P.M., APRIL 15.

SARAH PATRICIA THRAN, 26, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 EAST AND 441, AT 3:46 P.M., APRIL 15.

CALVIN E. BEAMESDERFER, 76, OF MYERSTOWN, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT SIXTH AND LOCUST STREETS, AT 7:48 A.M., APRIL 15.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Twenty-five years in a long time to stay in coaching. But that's how Long Warren Goodling has been at Hempfield.
Over those 25 years, each team in the L-L League has changed coaches at least once.
Here is a list:
CV, McCaskey and Township have had two coaches.
Three -- Cedar Crest, L-S and Lebanon Catholic.
Five -- Ephrata, Pequea Valley, Cocalico, Northern Lebanon and Lancaster Mennonite.
Six -- Penn Manor, Solanco, Warwick, Lancaster Catholic, Columbia (can you name them?), Donegal and Elco.
Seven -- Central, Annville-Cleona, Garden Spot, Lebanon.
10 - E-town.

The Columbia track team competedat the annual Shippensburg Invitational yesterday and for one of the rare times in school history failed to score any points.
In girls' events, the 400-meter relay team placed 18th, while the 1,600-meter relay team placed 16th. In individual events, high jumper Nicole Bowman did not place.
In boys' events, Jeremy Daise tied for 34th in the 100 and Derek Zercher was 20th in the 3,200. Thrower Brandon Felus was 23rd in the shot put and 19th in the discus.
In relay events, the 400-meter relay team was disqualified, whole the 1,600-meter relay team was 19th and the 3,200-meter relay team was 16th.

Here is a link to a story today in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Derrick Morgan, who played football with the CBAA program and at the junior high level here in Columbia, before moving back to Coatesville.

On Saturday, April 24, the Columbia Park Rangers, as part of Columbia Pride Day, will work at Locust Street Park. Rangers will assemble at 8 a.m. at Sixth and Locust streets.
The four-hour work session will be a general cleanup one focused on getting the park in tip-top form for spring.

The Columbia girls’ softball is young, with a lot of inexperience at the varsity level.

There’s no denying that through the first seven games of the season, they’ve done well, winning six of those games.

For the first time in school history, the rest of the Lancaster-Lebanon League is taking notice.

Through the first half of Section 4 play, the Tide went 5-0, beating a couple of traditional powers.

Friday afternoon at Glatfelter Field, coach Brad Brubaker’s team started crossover play with a game against Lampeter-Strasburg, one of top teams in Section 3.

And it was a dandy of a game, with the Pioneers holding off the Crimson Tide for a 2-1 win.

Columbia is 5-1 in league play and 6-2 overall. Monday, the Tide travels to Manheim Central for another tough non-league game.

The difference in this one was that the Tide, despite an 11-strikeout performance by junior Emily Detz, didn’t come up big in the field and two runners thrown out at the dish attempting to score.

The Pioneers scored first. Their lead-off batter tripled just wide of the glove of Tide right fielder Emily Nobile. Despite striking out the side in the first, the Pioneers got the jump in the scoring column, scoring on a passed ball.

Columbia got its first chance to score in the third when Allison Michener reached on an infield hit and moved to third on a stolen base and a ground out. With two outs, Emily Groft worked a walk to give the Tide two base runners, but Vallesa Carollo was called out on a questionable third strike call to end the threat.

With two outs in the fifth, the Pioneers reached Detz for another run, capitalizing on a solid single to right, two stolen bases and a little infield nubber that went for a hit.

At that points, the two runs looked big for the Pioneers as the Tide wasn’t doing much at the dish.

But in the fifth, the Tide got something going.

With one out, Nobile reached on a bunt hit and Detz with a single to right, allowing Nobile to scurry to third and Detz eventually ending up on second. A golden opportunity for the Tide. Next up was Groft, who bunted, but Nobile was gunned down at the plate, keeping the Tide off the board.

After a scoreless sixth, this one went down to the final three outs.

Michener led off the seventh with a solid single to center and pinch-hitter Kayla Lambert came off the pines to rip a gapper to left-center scoring Michener. All the sudden, it was 2-1 with no one out and the top of the order up.

Rather than give up a big hit to the Tide’s best player Detz, L-S threw four balls out of the strike zone, with one problem. Ball four sailed wide of the plate past the L-S catcher, allowing Lambert to move to third.

With the game on the line, Groft hit a hard liner to second, which was caught and nearly doubled Detz off first. With one out, Carollo hit one to third, but Lambert was cut down at the plate. Still, there was at least one more chance for the Tide, but the comeback ended when Jenna Plastino popped out to end the game.

Despite the loss, the Tide still leads Section 4, just ahead of Pequea Valley and Annville-Cleona.

West Hempfield Township Police Department announces that it will be hosting its first “Citizens Police Academy”. The Academy will held Monday through Thursday over a twoweek period from May 17 to May 27.

Attendees are not required to attend all eight sessions. The purpose of the academy is to provide a “Partnership through Education.” The academy is being presented to provide the citizens of West Hempfield Township and Mountville Borough with the basicoperations and legal issues by which the department functions. Each session will provide an overview of various areas of law enforcement, department operations and day-to-day responsibilities of the officers

The academy is being coordinated by Sgt Timothy Coyle and Cpl Douglas Ober who, along with other officers from the department, will also be instructing several of the classes.

“We’re very excited to offer thisopportunity to our residents” stated Chief Mark Pugliese, “the officers coordinating the classes have been working very hard to line-up guest speakers from across the criminal justice spectrum.”

Speakers include Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman as well as several Assistant District Attorneys, Magisterial District Judge Robert Herman, and Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Bergman. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Lancaster County 911 Center and the County Courthouse.

Any West Hempfield Township or Mountville Borough resident, business owner or individual actively involved in the community may apply for the academy. Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and the academy will be limited to the first 30 eligible applicants. Applications may be picked up at the West Hempfield Township Police Station or at the Mountville Borough Office. Deadline for registering is April 30.

Questions may be directed to the West Hempfield Township Police at 285-5191. Contact person: Chief Mark G. Pugliese at 285-5191

Police are investigating the passing of counterfeit bills at the Musser's Market, 3975 Columbia Ave., at 5:48 p.m., April 14.
Police said the night before a number of bogus $5 bills were passed in the store.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 285-5191.

Officials of the Getty Mart of Mountville, reported at 6 a.m., April 14, someone cut wires to the rear of the building and rilled out the door lock. Once in side, the suspects took a large amount of cigarettes and cash.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 285-5191.

Officials of Rod's Auto Body of the 800 block of Ivy Drive reported at 1 p.m., April 14, reported the theft of tires and wheels, between April 4-9.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

It was another rough afternoon for Columbia in track.
The Tide was swept on the home track by Hempfield, losing the girls' meet, 133-17 and the boys' meet, 138-12.
Some Columbia athletes will compete in the Shippensburg Invitational on Saturday.
Highlights of the day were Jeremy Daise, who finished first in the 100 and Shaday Frazier, who won the 100 and a leg of the winning 400-meter relay team.

Here is a report on the last two softball games from Columbia coach Brad Brubaker.
We took a 5-1 win over McCaskey in Lancaster. Emily Detz was again strong in the circle striking out 13, walking none and allowing just two hits. The run was unearned.
Freshman Jenna Plastino broke open a 1-1 tie with one out in the 6th inning by crushing her first career home run to deep centerfield. The bomb plated freshman Alexis Eckman, who was pinch running for Ashlyn Phillips, who had walked. The Tide broke it open in the top of the seventh when freshman Brit Germer, who was 2-3 on the day with an RBI, led off with a single. Pinch hitter Marina Benavente would bring her home from third on a drag bunt.

The non-league win over McCaskey runs Columbia's record to 7-1 overall, tying the record for most wins in a season. The 1995 Crimson Tide finished the season at 7-9.
On Wednesday, Detz went for 4-4 with two doubles, a triple, home run and scored 3 times in leading Columbia to a 6-2 win at Lancaster Mennonite.
Plastino also went 2-4 in that game. The Tide scored single runs in every inning but the second and closed the first half of the L-L League Section 4 schedule with a perfect 5-0 mark.
Detz was dominant in the circle, allowing three hits and striking out 18 while walking none.

Fourth Friday is set to roll once again on Friday April 23 from 5-9 p.m. with after hour entertainment available at Perfect Settings.
“The March event was the best turn out yet and with the change of the seasons I am sure the number of patrons will increase,” said Chris Davis of Modest Gallery.
“ I am having a blast organizing this event and working with the other galleries and specialty shops, the feedback from the Columbia community and beyond has been positive and encouraging .Archway Arts,” she said.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Most coaches and players prefer to have the motto of "playing them one at a time."
Looking ahead is for everyone else. So, with the Columbia girls' softball unbeaten through the first five games of the league season, let's look ahead as those ever dangerous crossover games begin.
The Tide is scheduled to play McCaskey in a make-up game tomorrow before opening crossover play against Section 3 on Friday.
That's when the Tide will entertain L-S, who brings a 3-2 record into the game.
It will be "Big Friday" around the L-L League in softball. In addition to that game, Section 3 leading and also unbeaten Donegal will travel to Annville-Clrona (3-2) and Manheim Central, who the Tide will play Monday puts its 3-2 record on the line against Pequea Valley (3-1).
Donegal leads Section 3 with a 5-0 record, followed by Central and L-S at 3-2. Northern Lebanon is 2-2.
Columbia has 11 league and 2 non-league games left.

It was a beautiful afternoon to sit out and watch baseball at Glatfelter Field. Unfortunately, the Tide baseball team wasn't feeling the love from the weather gods, losing to Lancaster Mennonite, 15-1 in a game called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

The lone highlight of the game for the Tide came in the fourth inning. With the Tide trailing13-0, Michaael Burke launched a fast ball toward the deepest part of the yard at Glatfelter Field and once it got over the head of the Mennonite centefielder, Burke just sprinted around the bags, making it home well before the relay throw.

The Tide got off to a rough start. Mennonite's first two hitters had solid singles up the middle off Tide starter Chris Aruda. Following two sacrifices and another single, the Blazers, coached by former Tide coach Steve Robinson, had a 2-0 lead.

In the second, three walks and an infield hit made way for a bases clearing double for Mennonite early in the inning followed by another bases loaded hit later in the inning. At that point, Mennonite was blazing, leading 10-0.

With lefty Jimmy Lee now on the bump, Mennonite added two more runs in the third and a single run in the fourth before Burke has some fun running the bases.

Mennonite scored twice more in the fifth and finished the game with 13 hits and they also walked six times.

The ever changing make up and discussion concerning the position of Market Manager in Columbia took another turn at Monday's borough council meeting.

While borough council approved to begin the hiring process of a new manager at $18.50 an hour for a part-time position up to 25 hours a week, debate again centered on the previous manager, Renae Sears, who was fired late last year and is now a member of the council.
The vote to begin the hiring process was a 6-1 vote with Mary Barninger, council woman voting against the plan. That was the easy part of the discussion.
First, council, management and citizens needed to discuss the "hot bell" topic of ringing a bell in the Market House by Tim Brown of Rap's World following a successful sale.\It has been debated at council meetings for the past few months.
Frank Doutrich, a former member of the council, was the first to speak. He brought his own bell to the meeting to use as an example and asking what the problem was.
"I think it adds to the market and I like it. I don't know why anyone would have a problem with it beause it gives the market soe class," Doutrich said.
"It is not an annoyance. It indicates custoer satisfaction," said Norm Meiskey, borough manager.
"There is no issue with the Market House bell," said Councilman Kelly Murphy, who chairs the council's market committee
Murphy also said its times to move forward with the market position, which is now being done by Meiskey.
"The bell is also not an issue for me," added Council President Mary Wickenheiser.
Next, council and others turned their attention toward Sears. At last month's meeting, Vern Detz, another former member of the council, asked Sears to resign her post on council after she allegedly cursed at a citizen during a March market committee meeting.
The incident was centered around Doutrich and he said he wanted a public apology from Sears. He took it one step farther saying he contacted two agencies in Harrisburg, telling the council, they could legally censor Sears for her comments.
"But, she already did that (by swearing) and now you will get people in here using the entire alphabet (while swearing)," Doutrich said.
He also objected to the salary planned to be paid to the new Market Manager, adding if the salary was lower, the borough could sae money and allow the new manager to show they were worth the higher salary.
Council President Mary Wickenheiser told Doutrich there would be no censorship of Sears.
"We don't have the power to do that," Wickenheiser said.
Detz said he was at the market meeting when the incident happened, but left before the alleged incident.
"I did leave but when I got home, I got numerous phone calls tlling me what happened. I believe it happened and you are opening up a can of worms by allowing this,: Detz said.
"She should stand up and apologize to Mr. Doutrich, if not she should resign from the council," Detz said.
Wickenheiser said the issue has been put to rest. She also said she observed some type of incident, but did not hear anything.
"The person in question wasn't sitting at the table and got up and left and went out the door," Wickenheiser said.
Two others defended Sears.
"I've known Renae Sears for 50 years and I never heard her swear," said "Cubby" Spiese.
Shirley McBride also defended Sears.
"I've never heard her say the four letter word she is accussed of. It is not inher character," McBride.
She then turned her attention to Detz telling him "not to bring issues" to council."
"You didn't get your way on council. Why don't you (Detz) just go away, sell your home and move out of Columbia,"McBride said.
"Just leave," ahe said.
"The market is good, sell your home and move out of Columbia. Columbia is a good place to live," McBride said.
"Renae," McBride said to Sears, "keep your head up and smile. You work for Columbia and I am glad to have you on council. It's horrible for someone to do this."
And in an interesting turn of events, Howard Stevens of Columbia, told the council, he had nothing to do with Sears getting fired as the Market Manager and would like to have the comments made to him about the issue stopped.
Stevens said he did work at the market.
"I ran into people in the market you told me that I was the reason Renae lost her job. I've been verbally attacked,. Can you plus address the people at the market and tell them it wasn't me," Stevens said.
Everyone on the council said they were surprised to hear of the comments.
"I do not condone this behavior," Council President Mary Wickenheiser said.
"I never accused you of anything and I am sorry people are saying that," Sears said,.
"What you have been subjected to is unfortunate," Mary Barninger, another member of the council said.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Dergon Spickler, 50, of Columbia, has been charged with harassment as the result of a domestic dispute in the 2200 block of Oak Hollow Drive at 8:20 p.m., April 10.

Veronica Rivera of Allentown, reported the theft of music equipment from her vehicle parked in the 300 block of Primrose Lane at 9:28 p.m., April 10.

Corey White, 53, of Manheim, was charged with driving under the influence, as the result of an incident on Stony Battery Road at Route 30 at 1:24 a.m., April 12.
A 14-year-old boy from Mount Joy was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and criminal mischief as the result of an incident in the 4000 block of Laurel Lane, Mount Joy, involving his parents, at 9:27 a.m., April 9.
Albert Shaub of the 3600 block of Hempland Road, reported the theft of a GPS unit from his vehicle at 3:57 p.m., April 9.
Matthew Timblin, 30, of Washington Boro, was charged with driving under the influence, careless dri ving and disorderly conduct, as the result of an incident in the first block of College Avenue, Mountville, at 2:37 a.m., April 10.

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 19th annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 30 at Locust Street Park, located at Fifth and Locust Streets, starting at 6 p..m.

Andy Ohrel, president of the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, which maintains and oversees the park, will serve as master of ceremonies. Rev. Dominic DiBiccardo of St. Peter’s Catholic Church will offer the invocation and benediction. Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz and Council Vice-President Mary Barninger will make remarks. Rick Hartlieb, representing the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will present Columbia with its 18th consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Award.

Local citizens will be recognized for their contributions to the Shade Tree Commission in 2009, including the presentation of a Life Membership to Jack and Robin Gamby.

Three $25 cash prizes will be awarded to second grade students from Columbia’s three elementary schools as winners of the tree coloring contest. A $25 gift card will be awarded to the winner of the “My Favorite Tree” photo contest.

Musical selections will be provided throughout the ceremony by the Columbia High School Music Department under the direction of Rick Jensen.

Columbia High School Senior Hillary Marie Glenn will recite Joyce Kilmer’s poem Trees. Hillary is the daughter of Kerry D. Glenn and the late Melissa A. Glenn. She plans to attend Millersville University and although her major is undeclared, she is hoping to become either a secondary school history or a translator. Her studies at Columbia High School this year include English with Harrisburg Area Community College, French IV, Anthropology, Psychology, Chorus and Music Appreciation. Since the age of 10 she has sung soprano solo’s at the Columbia United Methodist Church.

Hillary was the Columbia Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for January and will be reciting the Gettysburg Address following the annual Columbia Memorial Day Parade in May. She has been volunteering in her community since she was a child, starting with Columbia Pride Day and now volunteers regularly at events sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce in honor of her mother.

Her hobbies include writing, singing, reading, supplementary French, and cultivating her musical palate.

Calling it a hiccup along the road, Columbia Borough will first look at a consolidation of its three fie companies before pursuing the regionalization of services.
Mary Barninger, who chairs the council's safety committee, made the announcement at Monday's borough council meeting, upon questioning from resident Ron Fritz.
Barninger said the borough is still looking to regionalize services, bit was told by at least two fire companies, Mountville and West Hempfield, they would consider regionalization, but not until Columbia had a plan to consolidate its three departments into one.
Fritz, a 48-year member of the Susquehanna Fire Company, said he was caught off guard by the consolidation effort after attending last week's safety committee meeting.
He said no letter was ever sent out to neighboring fire companies to gauge their interest and there was only positive verbal contact made concerning the regionalization.
"I don't understand whywe are going back (to consolidation)," Fritz said.
Fritz' comments upset Barninger.
"It amazes me you come here tonight and act like you don't know what is going on," Barninger said.
She continued by saying consolidation and then regionalization of the fire service is needed for many reasons.
She said the effort to regionalize will still happen but only after Columbia gets its act together and consolidates its three departments and that the current three Columbia companies couldn't agree on how to get to the table on regionalization.
The local consolidation before regionalization, Barninger said, was a recommendation from the state's Department of Community and Economic Development as well as two of the neighboring fire departments interested in a regional effort.
"Mountville and West Hempfield indicated they will not come to the table until Columbia Borough has its act together first," Barninger said. "When potential partners say you don't have a plan, yo get one."
"The borough has no abandoned regionalization because that is where we need to be. We want to get a plan together first on how we will consolidate and this is what we will do," Barninger said.
"It is sad that our mutual aid companies have this opinion of us and we have to get our sandbox together first," Barninger said.
"This is not council's doing, this is just a hiccup in the road," she said.

The borough of Columbia is being sued.
Chris Leonard of Second Street during a 20 minute address to borough council Monday night announced the borough has violated her civil rights and will file a law suit in federal court.
Leonard claimed Monday night that the borough violated her civil rights by not assisting her in claims she made against Borough Manager Norm Meiskey and Code Enforcement Official Jeff Helm, saying they didn't assist her in problems she had with her landlord and others.
"You can defend this in federal court," Leonard said to the council.
The Columboa woman, who has filed numerous requests with the borough under the Right to Know law, lives in an apartment building in the Second Street area and has numerous cats and has also caused numerous problems not only for the borough but other organizations in town over the last year.
Monday night she claimed as far back as last August she addressed borough officials that her landlord violated property maintenance laws by not properly addressing heating problems in her building. In December, she claimed a gas leak in her building was not properly fixed on at least two occasions and even after an inspection by the state Departent of Labor and Industry.
During this time, Leonard said she filed numerous requests under the Right to Know law to see what the borough had done with her multiple requests for information.
"There were two serious gas leaks that may have killed someone," Leonard told the council Monday night.
She also said she filed another RTK request to get copies of inspections the borough ade of the vacant store fronts on Locust Street and also wanted to see under another RTK request the outcomes if disruptive conduct reports filed by the borough.
She also told the borough to go ahead and "threaten her and video tape her" because she will not stop.

Here is a sampling of what residents who spoke to the borough council on Monday night spoke about and the responses they got.

The citizen comment portion took two hours at Monday's meeting.

Frank Doutrich, a former member of the council, addressed the council concerning the status of the boat access area at the River Park; why Police Chief Joe Greenya doesn't stay at council's safety committee meeting; why council waited until the final "minute" at meeting last month to determine it needed to purchase two police vehicles; who does maintenance on borough vehicles and how the borough came to consider those who were appointed to a Bulding Code of Appeals.

Council President Mary Wickenheiser said the Thursday before Easter, borough employees were working on an access area to the river at Union Street and there is adequate parking until River Park opens May 1.
Wickenheiser also told Doutrich the information on the police vehicle purchase was not done at the final minute and the purchase will be reviewed at the next meeting of the council's property committee.

Vern Detz, another former member of the council, wanted an update on the settlement of the property at Third and Linden streets, site of the planned Turkey Hill Experience; whether or the non-uniformed workers and police have signed their new contract; the status of 12 hour shifts for the police department; requested financial reports and wanted to know if Columbia ever had a deputy tax collector.

Herbert Spiese thanked the council for its use of Roberts Rules of Order when running a meeting and said he was down at the River Park recently and doubts if it will be done by May 1.

Council President Wickenheiser said things are moving forward at the park and it should be ready by May 1.

Heather McDonald asked the council is they could re-arrange the street sweeping schedule in the 100 block of Locust Street and if the borough could help change the look of that area because there is a chain linked fence around a business that takes away from the area.

Detz and Doutrich, along with Spiese and other residents Shirley McBride, Ron Fritz, Chris Leonard and Howard Stevens commented on other issues at the meeting on issues involving the Market, the fire service and code enforcement issues, which will be posted in three other stories.

Last week, according to the York Newspapers, Wrightsville Borough apparently is backing away from police regionalization talks with several municipalities in Lancaster County. Earlier this month, it was also reported that other muncipalities in western Lancaster County aren't too keen on the idea.
But at Monday's borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz said its full speed ahead with the regionalization of police services, despite the setbacks.
"Wrightsville is still considering it," Lutz said Monday night,
The mayor said Wrightsville wanted to get information to those involved in the regionalization effort that certain things such as radio frequencies and courts are different in York County.
Lutz said he gave Wrightsville a copy of an agreement between Columbia and Wrightsville that was in place from 1999 through the early 2000s tnat answered those questions.
"We don't know how many will join," said Lutz.
Lutz said the only information given to those involved has been a leter of intent to do a feasability study at no cost to those involved.
"There might be two, three, four, five or six who might sign the letter of intent," Lutz said.
Lutz said those involved in the talks will meet again in May and are also discussing joint services and purchases. He said recently, Columbia shared s speed enforcement detail with West Hempfield and truck weighing with West Hempfield and East Hempfield.
"We don't know where it is going to end up but in the next two months to move forward on a feasability study," Lutz said.
"We are going to continue to look at regionalization," Lutz said.

Borough Council also approved the following facility requests:
* The Columbia United Veterans Council, Sunday, May 23 for the annual Memorial Day Parade.
* The Risk Watch Safety group for its annual Bike Event on Poplar Street between Sixth and Seventh streets, Saturday, May 22 from 9 a. m.-noon.
* The Columbia Consolidated Fore Department for its annual July Fourth Carnival and Firewoeks, July 13-17 for streets near the department.
* The Ashley Tabernacle Church and the Mount Zion AME Church for street closures in conjunction with the Juneteenth celebration.
* The Susquehanna Valle Chamber of Commerce for use of the Market House fro 8 a.m.-9 p,m., Saturday, Sept. 21 for its annual Business Expo and Job Fair.

Borough Council also:
* Approved the use of a $500 debit/credit card to be used by Georgianna Schreck, Ron Miller and Joseph Greenya.
* Announced the trademark for the Market House logo has been approved.
* Approved the loaning of two Keeley Stoves presently in the Market House to the Columbia Historic Preservation Society.
* Removed borough owned properties at 21 South Third St., 27 South Third St., 29 South Third St., 70 South Market St. and 106 Locust St. from borough tax rolls to make way for future parking lots.
* Appointed Borough Manager Norm Meiskey as agent regarding any financial assistance the borough would receive from the Robert T/ Stafford Disaster Relief Fund in connection with the 2010 snow storm.
* Received word the borough received the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence for its River Park expansion project.
* Appointed Steve Wise, William Sauders, Barney Aston, Mark Goodman, Chris Stover and Dan Laird to the Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board.
* Appointed Janet Wood as deputy tax collector.
* Approved a title search by the solicitor for the title of Cedar Street East.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Here are a list of new hires approved at Monday's borough council meeting.
* Melissa Elliot promote dto part-time parking enforcement officer at $11.92 an hour for a maximum of 19 hours a week.
* Approval to hire one summer employee for the sewer plant and one summer employee for the highway department from May 1 through Sept. 3, through a temp agency at a salary of $9.50 an hour.
* Approved changes to the borough's Human Resources Policy anuel changing the number of hours a non-union worker can work during a week from 20 to 26 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of a part-time code enforcement officers at $18.48 an hour for up to 25 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of a part-time parking enforcement officer at a rate of $10.73 an hour for up to 19 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of three part-time crossing guards at $9.73 an hour for a 19-hour work week.
* Appointed Donna Kreiser as bond council for Columbia Borough and the Colunbia Municipal Authority.

Street sweeping has been under way here in Columbia for a few weeks, but not on a regular basis and the little police vehicle, which follows the sweeper, hasn't been seen.
It was explained at Monday's borough council meeting, the person who normally follows the street sweeper has been assigned to other duties, but that is changing.
At Monday's meeting, council responded to questioning about the vehicle after being questioned by resident Frank Doutrich.
"He is doing work as a parking enforcement officer and crossing guard," said Council President Mary Wickenheiser.
But Monday, council took steps to hire additional employees so that the eployee, who follows the sweeper can resume work.
Mayor Leo Lutz said the vehicle should resume following the sweeper either later this week or early next week. For the first week, the borough will issue warnings for those vehicles not moved for sweeping, after that grace week, they will be ticketed.
Lutz said the borough is considering changes in the sweeping rotation, but nothing definite has been finalized/

While there is plenty of good news for Columbia in softball, the news is not good for the Tide in baseball and softball.

At Annville-Cleona, the Tide boys were beaten by the Little Dutchmen, 8-1.
The Tide scored its lone run in the top of the third and was limited to four hits for the game. A-C had just six hits, but benefitted from four Columbia fielding errors and six walks by Tide pitchers.

On the hill, the Tide was swept by Elco in track, winning the boys' meet, 139-11 and the girls' meet, 141-9. Kelsey Ulrich was the only Columbia first place finisher for the Tide, winning the discus.

The Tide will run Hempfield on Thursday on the hill and participate in the annual Shippensburg Invitational on Saturday. This will be the Tide's last home meet of the season.

Emily Detz threw a two-hitter and struck out a career-high 19 batters as the Tide downed previously unbeaten Annville-Cleona 1-0 at Glatfelter Field.

Columbia's lone run came in the second when freshman DP Marina Benavente drew a two-out walk, then freshman Valessa Carolla smashed a double to the right center field gap and scored Benavente.

Detz yielded a leadoff double to A-C shortstop Chris Ditzler, then struck out the side to move the Crimson Tide into sole possession of first place in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Columbia improves to 4-0 in Section 4 and 5-1 overall, while Annville-Cleona drops to 3-1 in Section 4 and 5-1 overall.

On Wednesday, the Tide closes out the first half of the League season with a game at Lancaster Mennonite.

A Taste of River Towns promises to be a fun evening, with samples available from these establishments: Ascot House, BF Hiestand House, Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Cafe Capriccio, McCleary's Public House, Nissley Winery, Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen, Prudhomme's on Fourth, Shank's Tavern, St. John's Herr Estate, The Flour Child, Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast, and Whiff Roasters.
The event will be held at the Union Meeting House in Marietta from 6-9 p.m., Friday, April. 16.
Taste the fine food available in our region while socializing with friends and family.
Tickets costing $15 per person can be reserved by contacting the chamber at 684-5249.
Cash, checks and credit cards are all welcome.

ROMEO J. AZONDEKON, 24, of Marietta, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident at Fifth and Locust strreets at 11 a.m., April 6.AGE 24, SHANNA MCGILL, 26, of Columbia, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident in the 500 block of Locust Street at 7:17 p.m., April 7.KEITH LEE RANKIN, 18, of Conestoga, was charged with speeding, as the result of an incident on Route 441 south at 5:20p.m., April 8.MELISSA CYNTHIA LOWE, 19, of Columbia, was charged with speeding, as the result of an incident on Route 441 south at 5:43 p.m., April 8.

MICHAEL J. LESCHKE, JR., 40, of Columbia, was charged with driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, as the result of an incident in the 800 block of Ridge Avenue at 8:40 a.., April 8.ROBERT N. LEWIS, JR., 28, of Columbia, was charged with public drunkenness and criminal mischief, as the result of an incident at Fourth and Cherry streets at 11:06 P.M., April 9.
A 17-year-old boy from Columbia, was charged with obedience to traffic control devices, as the result of an incident on Lancaster Avenue at 9 p.m., April 10.THOMAS WAGNER, 69, of Columbia, was charged with a stop and yield sign violation, as the result of an incident at Routes 30 and 441, at 11:06 p.m., April 9.MICHAEL JOHN HOFFMAN, 27, of East Petersburg, was charged with obedience to traffic control devices, as the result of an incident at Route 441 and Perry Street at 4:15 p.m., April 10.
The following were charged with speeding as the result of incidents, April 10 and 11 on South Front Street.
Charhged were KEITH G. LENKER, 54, of Columbia; TRACY L. MENDENHALL, 40, of Conestoga; DONNA MARIE MENTZER, 61, of Lancaster.
The following were charged with obedience to traffic control devices as the result of incidents at Third and Linden streets April 11.
Charged were MATTHEW TODD GROFF, 34, of Manheim; BURNELL R. DOLL, 61, of Glen Rock; MATTHEW B. GALLOWAY, 36, of York.DEAN LLOYD BILLINGS, 30, of Columbia, was charged with protective equipment for motorcycle riders, as the result of an incident in the 200 block of South Second Street, April 11.JOB B. DOUGLAS, 23, of Columbia, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident on Lancaster Avenue, at 10:24 a.m., April 11.AUDREY L. SHENK, 33, of Washington Boro, was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, as the result of an incident in the 100 block of North Third Street at 9 a.m., April 12.

John DeBella is hoping that one again he can bring good luck to the Phillies and their balls.

At 8:30 this morning, the 102.9 WMGK morning host will supervise as West Lawn United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Raffauf, the Rev. Joe Campellone, of Father Judge High School, and Rabbi Gregory Marx, of Congregation Beth Or, say a blessing over the baseballs that will be used in today's home opener.

The ceremony takes place on the patio at McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park. DeBella and the clergymen blessed the Phillies balls before the start of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, so the ritual has proven successful so far. Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Stephenie LaGrossa, wife of pitcher Kyle Kendrick, and Comcast SportsNet's "Daily News Live" host Michael Barkann will be part of the festivities.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

No one will deny this probably has been one of the worst years athletically in the history of Columbia High School sports.

Two teams went winless on the season and heading into the spring season, the only team that enjoyed success has been the Crimson Tide wrestling team. They finished with a winning record and did well in their tournaments and invitationals.

But overall, success has been few and far between.

Welcome to the end of the 2010 spring sports season and some reason to be proud to wear the crimson and gold again.

With wins this week over Pequea Valley, Eastern York, Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Catholic, the Crimson Tide softball team is as hot as the weather was last week until Friday.

The Tide girls won all four games, three impressive fashion, to improve their overall record to 4-1.

Columbia has been playing high school softball since 1984 and in those 26 years never had a four-game winning streak.

And, the Tide girls have never been in the upper echelon of Section 4 in the L-L League and find themselves tied for first place with unbeaten Annville-Cleona with a 3-0 record. And Monday, the Tide and A-C faceoff for first place at Glatfelter Field.

It’s the biggest game ever in school history and the biggest high school game played at Glatfelter Field since some District Three and state playoff games were played on the field in the 1990s.

Friday, the Tide girls became the first Columbia team to beat Lancaster Catholic this season, turning back the Crusaders on their home field, 10-1.

Junior Emily Detz had her fourth big game of the week. She didn’t allow Catholic a hit the sixth inning with two outs and wound up with a one-hitter and fanned 14 Catholic hitters along the way. She didn’t walk anyone.

Columbia made the most of seven hits in the game, scoring five times in the sixth. Catholic also helped the cause walking five Tide batters and committing five errors in the field.

Detz has 63 strikeouts in five games and just four walks. This week alone, the fireballer has struck out 63 batters and pitched three one-hitters.

For more on the Columbia softball program, check out Jeff Reinhart’s View from the Press Box later this weekend. You can link it to the right on this page.

Call me a traditionalist or an old fart, but I have a hard time when I see teams, including some of my favorites wearing these alternate color uniforms.

To explain what I am talking about, I’ll use one of my favorite teams as an example – The Eagles, who sometime without much luck breakout the old black uniforms. I know it’s a marketing tool and sells their merchandise. I do have some black Eagles’ gear and have come to live with it, but don’t like it.

To take it one step farther, I will have problems with basketball teams that wear black sneakers and black socks. Heck, I have a problem with teams that wear white socks and you can’t see them over the top of their shoes.

I also have a pet peeve with teams that don’t wear their uniform pants right. And don’t get me started on how people wear hats. Okay, please stop the rantings.

I can’t right now.

What I do have a problem with are teams that want to change their colors and even their mascots to something that shouldn’t even be an issue and I don’t care how much success a team or school is having.

I can remember perhaps 15 years ago or so when a former Columbia High School principal attempted to change our school’s mascot from the Crimson Tide to the Bulldogs. That administrator even went as far as to order some shirts and other items. The community was in such an uproar and packed a school board meeting to air their feelings.

Well, the bulldog idea was put out to pasture.

Which leads to me to school colors. Whether it be crimson and gold in Columbia’s case; green and white for Donegal; blue and gold for Eastern and yes, even purple and gold for Lancaster Catholic, they are the chosen school colors.

What bothers is when I see our local schools wear a color other than school colors.

I have to ask why? Why do we need to say mix another color, say back into the uniform mix. Its not a school color.

I won’t say this is happening yet around here, but I would hope that if any of our coaches try to change school colors for say uniforms to something other to crimson and gold, the thought should be dismissed right away.